A DISPLAY of girl power is set for the main ring at this year’s Royal Cornwall Show as the first female of One Man and His Dog is attending the 2016 event.

In the male dominated world of sheep dog handling Katy Cropper is quite unique.

In fact, when it comes to sheep dog trials, she’s one of Britain’s most successful competitors.

Katy was the first woman to win the BBC’s iconic sheep dog trial show and will be heading to the Wadebridge show­ground to showcase her self-taught talents along with her hard working Collies.

Henrietta, her 13-year-old daughter, will also be on hand to help her mother entertain the main crowds.

With sheep dog trialling in her blood, Henrietta comes with impressive credentials of her own. Already a history maker in the sport after becoming the youngest ever competitor on One Man and His Dog last year.

“She’s the real star of the show,” adds Katy. “She herds sheep around the ring in our show whilst riding her White Fell Pony, Heather.”

Henrietta’s show piece is the ability to guide sheep from one side of Heather to the other via the most direct route — underneath.

Making the long trip from Cumbria down to the far South West, Katy and Henrietta intend to make the most of their time in the area whilst performing at Cornwall’s biggest annual event.

“We are having an evening at Rick Stein’s in Padstow and visiting our pal Jethro,” enthuses Katy. “We are hoping to be able to do some surfing as well!”

With seven weeks to go until the show opens organisers are hoping that another bumper crowd will enjoy everything on offer.

Last year more than 126,000 visitors were attracted to the event, the fourth highest attendance in the show’s 223 year history.

Christopher Riddle, secretary of the Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association said: “We’ve been busily planning another show crammed full of things to see and do. There’s so much to do and something for all ages to enjoy. We are looking forward to another three days of farming, food and fun.”

The Royal Cornwall Show takes place at the showground, near Wadebridge on June 9, 10 and 11. Tickets, memberships and reserved grandstand seats are on sale now online at www.royalcornwall.co.uk